Eskom Provides Respite: Updates on Load Shedding Schedule Amid Capacity Improvements

A Break from the Darkness: Lowered Load Shedding this Week

South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, comes bearing somewhat good news for the week. They’ve announced a temporary reprieve in load shedding due to an anticipated reduction in power demand and a boost in available generation capacity.

Today’s Power Play: Stage 2 Load Shedding

As of this afternoon, from 16:00, we’ll experience Stage 2 load shedding, continuing until 05:00 on Monday. Following this period, Eskom will suspend load shedding until 16:00 on Monday.

The Week Ahead: Shuffling between Stages

Post 16:00 on Monday, brace yourselves as Stage 4 load shedding resumes, which will continue until 05:00 on Tuesday. After this, the power utility will lower the load shedding to Stage 1 until 16:00. Eskom has scheduled this pattern to repeat daily until further notice.

Breakdown of the Shedding Schedule

• Sunday, 4 June: Stage 2 from 16:00 until 00:00.
• Monday, 5 June: Stage 2 from 00:00 to 05:00. Load shedding suspended from 05:00 to 16:00. Stage 4 resumes at 16:00 until 00:00.
• Tuesday, 6 June to Wednesday, 7 June: The pattern of Stage 4 from 00:00 to 05:00, Stage 1 from 05:00 to 16:00, and Stage 4 from 16:00 to 00:00 continues.

Eskom has mentioned that during the overnight low-demand periods, load shedding may be suspended for a few hours for effective system management.

The Power Landscape: Breakdowns and Maintenance

Eskom reports that breakdowns have lessened to 15,846 MW of generating capacity. Simultaneously, the capacity currently undergoing planned maintenance stands at 2,239 MW.

In the past 24 hours, power generation units at Kendal, Kriel, Matla, and two units at Lethabo power stations have been restored to service, along with the Cahora Bassa station that had failed on Friday.

However, generation units at Arnot, Camden, and Medupi stations were taken offline due to breakdowns. Further delays in restoring units at Grootvlei, Hendrina, Majuba, and Tutuka power stations are contributing to existing capacity constraints.

Eskom’s Ongoing Efforts and Citizen’s Contribution

While Eskom teams tirelessly work to restore these units over the next few days, the utility extends its gratitude to South Africans who’ve contributed towards alleviating pressure on the power system by using electricity sparingly and efficiently. This includes switching off geysers from 17:00 to 21:00, significantly aiding in reducing the stages of load shedding.